about CafesideMTB CIC

CafesideMTB CIC has been established to run the business side of Cafeside. What's the "CIC" bit? It stands for Community Interest Company - a special type of private limited company designed to be run for the benefit of the community, where profit and assets are used for the public good.

By setting ourselves up as a Community Interest Company (backed by guarantee), we will run CafesideMTB CIC as a not-for-profit Social Enterprise, ensuring that all money is re-invested into the CafesideMTB site, trails, staff and community, rather than paid out as dividends to shareholders.

Being backed by guarantee also opens more opportunities for us to apply for grants and funding to help make CafesideMTB a reality and offer improved facilities when we're up and running.

As part of setting up CafesideMTB CIC we have compiled our community interest statement, agreed a constitution, and agreed to the "asset lock" - a legal promise that states the company assets will only be used for it's social objectives, and they will have to be given to another CIC or charity if we decide to stop trading.

Community Interest Statement

Beneficiaries

  • Mountain bikers who are looking to improve their mountain biking abilities, regardless of their demographic, and the mental and physical well being that this brings.
  • Families of mountain bikers and the wider public who will be able to take advantage of the natural woodland and improved facilities on the site.
  • Members of the community looking to help get involved with trail building, maintenance and volunteering, either individually or as part of a group or college course etc.
  • Organisers of mountain biking events who will be able to use the venue for both local and regional mountain bike races.
  • Other clubs and associations who are looking to establish their trails as an official trail centre.
  • Economic benefits to the wider community and local businesses from increased leisure and tourism.

Activities and Benefits

  • Operate the CafesideMTB site as a pay-to-ride trail centre.
    Provide a unique venue within the area where mountain bikers can improve their skills and enjoy well built and daily maintained trails with features not found elsewhere in the region, with first aid qualified staff on site.
  • Encourage and grow the diversity of mountain bike riders using the site.
    By getting riders and site users to engage with us from the very beginning, we’re aiming to encourage more riders from all demographics to get involved and take advantage of what the site has to offer. This will guide us as to how trails and facilities are established, and ensure that we provide a safe and supportive environment to allow all riders to enjoy the site and progress their abilities.
  • Liaise with the wider MTB community in forming a Trail Association for England.
    Help support a new, national organisation to represent the interests of recreational mountain biking in discussions with landowners and land managers in the UK. Both to facilitate knowledge sharing between trail associations and allow them to speak with a single, unified voice at regional and national levels.
  • Run volunteer sessions at the CafesideMTB site.
    By running volunteer sessions, we will encourage site users to help contribute towards the building and maintenance of new trails at the site. This will facilitate knowledge sharing of how to build and maintain trails, and understanding how to do this in an environmentally sensitive way. We will provide a good place to learn new skills and meet like mined people who enjoy mountain biking, the forest and nature. Volunteers will benefit with free riding in recognition of their contribution of time and effort.

Surplus

If the company makes any surplus it will be used for:

  • Adding better facilities for riders and their families.
  • Secure the long term sustainability of CafesideMTB CIC at Telegraph Plantation and possibly other venues in the future.
  • Look to establish trails that are more accessible for riders with disabilities or limited mobility, but still able to ride at an advanced level.
  • Invest in other community groups that are looking to undertake similar enterprises with their own local trails, and help them work with landowners to establish their trails officially, with the consent of the CIC Regulator.
  • Invest in the English Trail Association that is currently being established, with the consent of the CIC Regulator.

Structure

We have 6 initial Members, from a range of backgrounds, skill sets and connections, who will discuss and vote on the business decisions that will need to be made as part of running CafesideMTB CIC.

These members have voted in 2 Directors, Ben Gibbard and Andrew Grace, who's responsibility will be to run CafesideMTB CIC day to day, and make sure that the wishes of the Members are fulfilled!

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